Hinduja Group Chairman passes away at 85 in London; remembered for steering the group across continents and sectors
London / New Delhi (Economy India): Industrialist Gopichand P. Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group, passed away in London on Monday at the age of 85, after weeks of illness. Family sources confirmed that he had been hospitalised for several weeks.
Often referred to as ‘GP’ in business circles, Gopichand was known for his calm leadership, strategic foresight, and ability to expand a traditional trading business into a global conglomerate spanning 48 countries and multiple sectors — from automotive and banking to energy, healthcare, and information technology.
His passing marks the end of an era for one of the world’s most influential business families.
Early Life: From Sindh to Mumbai — Roots of Enterprise
Born in Sindh (now in Pakistan) in 1940 into a traditional Sindhi trading family, Gopichand was the second of four brothers — Srichand, Prakash, and Ashok. Their grandfather, Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja, had founded the group in 1919 in Iran as a small trading and merchant banking firm dealing in Indo–Middle East trade.
After Partition, the family relocated to Mumbai, where the young Gopichand completed his education at Jai Hind College in 1959. Later, he received Honorary Doctorates in Law and Economics from the University of Westminster and Richmond College, London — recognitions that symbolized his lifelong pursuit of knowledge and enterprise.
Those early years, spent in the bustling trade environment of Bombay, laid the foundation for his deep understanding of business dynamics — how small opportunities could grow into global empires.
A Turning Point: From Iran to London
Gopichand joined the family business in 1959, working closely with his elder brother Srichand Hinduja, who led the group until his passing in 2023. The brothers shared an unshakable bond, built on discipline, vegetarianism, spirituality, and a commitment to ethical business practices.
However, the Iranian Revolution of 1979 changed everything. The family shifted its base to London, marking the beginning of Hinduja Group’s evolution from a regional trading entity to a diversified global powerhouse.
From London, Gopichand led Hinduja Automotive Ltd, which would later become the cornerstone of the group’s industrial expansion.
The 1980s: Decade of Bold Acquisitions and Global Rise
The 1980s proved to be a defining decade for Gopichand Hinduja and the group.
Two landmark acquisitions changed the course of the company’s future:
- In 1984, the group acquired Gulf Oil International, marking its foray into the energy sector.
- In 1987, it bought a controlling stake in Ashok Leyland, a struggling Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer at the time — making it one of the first major NRI-led acquisitions in India.
Under his leadership, Ashok Leyland transformed into one of India’s leading commercial vehicle companies. By 2021, Hinduja Automotive’s turnover had reached over €2 billion (₹23,000 crore).
Gopichand also led the group’s diversification into power, finance, healthcare, IT, real estate, and media, making Hinduja Group a global entity with over 200,000 employees worldwide.
In 2012, the group entered the high-tech manufacturing space by acquiring the US-based Houghton International for $1.045 billion (₹9,268 crore) — a move that positioned it among the top global players in metal fluids.
A Legacy of Discipline, Family, and Spiritual Balance
Despite being one of Britain’s richest families, the Hindujas always maintained their core values of simplicity, family unity, and spiritual living.
Gopichand was deeply rooted in his Indian heritage and spiritual philosophy. Even as the group expanded globally, he often emphasized,
“We are trustees, not owners, of wealth. Our duty is to use it for the betterment of society.”
In contrast to the lavish lifestyles often associated with billionaires, Gopichand sought balance between business success and spiritual growth. On his 75th birthday, instead of hosting a luxury celebration, he spent three days at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, releasing a spiritual book titled “Blessings,” based on Navgraha mantras and messages by Swami Chidanand Saraswati.
Family and Personal Life
Gopichand is survived by his sons Sanjay and Dheeraj, and daughter Rita.
His family’s prominence in global society was also reflected in personal celebrations — during Sanjay Hinduja’s wedding in 2015 in Udaipur, global stars Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Scherzinger performed, with an estimated expenditure of €15 million (₹154 crore).
Yet, Gopichand remained grounded, often choosing family gatherings, cultural events, and charitable engagements over publicity.
The Global Empire He Leaves Behind
Today, the Hinduja Group operates across 48 countries, with businesses spanning:
- Automotive – Ashok Leyland, Switch Mobility
- Oil & Energy – Gulf Oil International
- Banking & Finance – IndusInd Bank, Hinduja Bank (Switzerland)
- IT & Cybersecurity – Hinduja Global Solutions
- Healthcare & Real Estate – Hinduja Healthcare, Hinduja Realty Ventures
The group continues to be recognized for its contribution to India’s industrial and financial sectors, with combined revenues exceeding $50 billion.
An Era Ends, a Legacy Lives On
With Gopichand Hinduja’s passing, an era of Indian entrepreneurship marked by global vision, family values, and resilience comes to an end. Yet, his philosophy — of combining business with spiritual purpose — continues to guide the Hinduja legacy.
“We don’t measure success in wealth alone; true success is in service,” he once said.
As the Hinduja Group enters a new chapter under the next generation, Gopichand Hinduja’s life will remain a timeless example of how Indian enterprise can conquer the world — not through power, but through perseverance, integrity, and purpose.
(Economy India)
